11 Hands of Buddha
1. Deflecting- moving; stepping away and deflecting with any type of block, slipping punches, and check blocking.
2. Cutting- This is a "Block is a Strike" principle. Every strike and even kicks "cut". A shuto, knife hands, blade kicks, dragon crescents, and so on. The block is hard and intended to inflict pain not just block
3. Scissor- This is combinations of hands and legs moving in opposite directions. Examples of the "Scissor Hand" would be the initial block in Combination #27 (knife hand and knee), Stature of the Crane (Knife hand and knee), Combination #29 the forearms after the leopard paw strike, and the block in Combination #34 are all types of the "Scissor Hand"
4. Pushing- Everything your partner (or attacker) does, repel or counter with a push. Say against a spinning back fist, step in and push the attacking shoulder and back to stop the punch, or when facing the attacker push the shoulders when attacker throws a punch to stop the punch at its origin. Same against kicks by pushing on the hips when the opponent attempts a kick or knee.
5. Pulling- Every attack, grab and pull. Attacker throws a punch; block with a fortress block and pull. Whenever pulling; pressing and even pushing (in some cases), go with attackers momentum. Do not block, stop momentum and then pull or press. This just makes it harder on you. The punch is moving towards you- pull towards you. Punch moves away from you- push towards attacker. Combination #10 and #17 takedowns, Combination #23 and Combination #95 are examples of this concept
6. Pressing- A great example of pressing is the extension to Combination #6. The attacker throws a punch, you block and kick, step down pressing attackers hand into his body. Press at any of the controlling points of the body (head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and the knees)
7. Monkey Hand- or "Circling Hand"- hands circle inward hooking attackers arms and redirect them to the outside opening up the body for an attack. Of course you can apply this to kicks as well. Even if an attacker shoots in for a single or double leg takedown you could hook his head as you move your legs out of the way.
8. Upholding Hand- Upholding or tiger mouth/ inverted tiger mouth to the attackers wrists. Delivered usually with the palm (looks like your holding a platter) blocking the arm and raising it upward as your opposite hand hooks the attackers opposite hand (if the attacker continued his attack). The upholding hands are demonstrated in Plum Tree Blocking, as well as Kata #4 and other forms and techniques.
9. Trapping- Palm traps, Knife hand and palm, forearm trap, forearm and leg (another application from Stature of the Crane; instead of the knee and knife hand scissor application it could be the forearm and leg trap). There are many different ways to trap a strike and kicks.
10. Dragon- Dragon blocking. The dragon blocking has one hand close and one at a distance. Also known as a Short-Long Dragon Hand. The closest hand is blocking as the long hand is striking simultaneously, or both hands could be blocking the same attack to 2 different points i.e. wrist/elbow or foot/ knee.
11. All 10 Concepts Done Offensively- #11 is each of the blocking concepts delivered as an offensive movement/ attack.
The 11 Hands of Buddha are concepts and not a blocking system/ set. ALL of these concepts are in other blocking sets, combinations, kempo punch techniques, and forms/ katas. It is said that when all 11 Hands are "mastered", the practitioner is practically unbeatable. The reason for that claim is because of how each concept covers the many types of blocking and evasion. From restraining, redirecting, attacking, keeping off balance and up rooted to brining the attacker close or to keep the attacker at bay. Right down to making the block hurt or joint breaks from defending against the attack.
